The Top 10 Benzes: The Fastest, Most Beautiful, and Most Daring Models Ever Made

Mercedes-Benz likes to consider itself the inventor of the automotive industry, with Karl Friedrich Benz being regarded as the creator of the first vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine.

While this claim has been disputed by many, there’s no denying that Mercedes is one of the most important automakers in history, constantly changing the game and creating some of the most beautiful cars in the world. From SUV to sedans and coupes, there isn’t a model Mercedes hasn’t mastered yet.

With that in mind, the team at the Mercedes-Benz of Shrewsbury started thinking about some of the best Mercedes cars from the last century. And, oh, boy, it was a challenge. There are so many fascinating and innovative models that it was extremely hard to pick only ten.

Here’s the Mercedes-Benz of Shrewsbury’s list of top 10 Mercedes cars.

1.Mercedes 500E (1991)

You are probably thinking, what is a 90’s E-Class Mercedes doing at the top of the list. But, this is no ordinary E-Class. Mercedes-Benz paired with Porsche to build the ultimate performance car. The result was a classy vehicle with a 5-liter V8 engine that could outperform any other car.

2.Mercedes 300SL Gullwing (1954)

The 300SL Gullwing is probably one of the most iconic cars ever built by the German automaker and an all-time favorite here at Mercedes-Benz of Shrewsbury. It was powered by a 3-liter engine that delivered around 220 horsepower, an impressive figure back in 1954. It was so successful as a race car and Mercedes had no choice but to put it into production as a coupe and roadster.

3.Mercedes-AMG GT3 (2016)

AMG is synonymous with performance and innovation, and it represents the vanguard of Mercedes’ mastery. The new Mercedes AMG GT poses a serious threat to Porsche. Light weighted, with a 6.2 V8 engine, and an aggressive look, the AMG GT3 is killing it on the race track and the road.

4.Mercedes C111-II Prototype (1970)

While the C111 is just a prototype and not a production car, it represented an important step in the brand’s history. Not to mention that it looks amazing. Mercedes played around with the idea of a mid-engine supercar, and the result was a fiberglass body beauty. For the first version, the German automaker used a Wankel engine, but it turned to the turbo-diesel motor for the latest models.

5.Mercedes 540K (1940)

The 540K was one of the most popular cars of its decade. Mercedes took benefits of the pre-WWI Germany’s strong industry to build a car that was reliable, performant, and beautiful. It became one of the most sought-after cars among the highest ranking officials of the Reich. In spite of its most loyal clients, the 540K was a great, innovative car.

6.Mercedes 600 Pullman Landaulet (1963)

The 600 Pullman was probably the world’s first limousine and a favorite amongst president, kings, and queens around the world. Because of the hydraulic parts, which were very high-tech at the time, Pullman had a high failure rate as it aged. It was, nonetheless, one of the most popular cars in the history of Mercedes, with leaders such as Saddam Hussein, Mao Zedong, and even the Pope riding it.

7.Mercedes G-Class (1979)

You might think that Land Rover and Wrangler are the most popular jeeps, and you might be right. But, Mercedes G-Class is the only off-roader that stayed true to its initial design while constantly improving its performance.

8.Mercedes CLS-Class (2004)

Back in 2004, when it launched the CLS-Class, Mercedes proved that sedans could look classy and stylish. Nowadays, every luxury car automaker is trying to mimic the look and to turn their four-doors into sleek coupes.

9.Mercedes SL73 AMG (1998)

Even though SL73 AMG wasn’t a big success as the rest of the AMG models, that doesn’t mean it didn’t draw the public’s attention. The SL73 packed a powerful 7.3-liter engine capable of delivering 525 horsepower. It was such a shame that only 85 models were built.

10.Mercedes SLS AMG (2011)

We here at Mercedes-Benz of Shrewsbury believe that the SLS was the model that helped the German automaker establish itself as a true Porsche and Ferrari competitor. It packed a 6.3-liter V8 engine that delivered up to 563 horsepower. After five years of great performance, it opened the doors to the new AMG GT.

What’s your favorite Mercedes car?

If you want to find out more information about new and old models, visit Mercedes-Benz of Shrewsbury showroom or check our website.